Some western countries are trying to hijack the 2023 G-20 agenda, said Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov on Friday September 1. He strongly opposed “the attempts” saying that the countries are about to put an effort to foreground the Ukraine-Russia crisis at the multilateral platform, says reports.

According to Mr Alipov, political issues should not be raised in keeping with the tradition of G-20 as it stands contrast to the intergovernmental forum.

The statement has come as the national capital is all set to host the 2023 G20 New Delhi Summit on September 9.

Mr Alipov further said that, the language of Bali Declaration 2022 that had mention of Ukraine will have to change when the G-20 countries meet in New Delhi. He was speaking in an interaction with the media at the Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC).

“Unfortunately, Indian Presidency in G-20 has experienced very strong pressure from some countries who in Russia’s opinion hijacked the G-20’s agenda making the Ukrainian crisis as one of the top issues. G-20 should focus on economic issues and finance but since last year it was decided by some members of the group to discuss political issues within the G-20 – something that we do not accept”, The Hindu quoted Mr Alipov.

“If there is no consensus on something then the items without consensus should be removed taking into account that political issues have never been discussed in G-20”, he added.

The Russian envoy said that even if the majority of members of G-20 support an item with a few like Russia standing away – such an item should not be on the agenda of G-20.